The chaniya choli, a very popular garment for girls, is a favorite during the festive season. The chaniya choli is a traditional dress from Gujrat. The skirt or ghagra is known as the chaniya and the blouse is called the choli. Chaniya cholis make gorgeous festive wear with their bright colors and beautiful mirror work designs.
Chaniya cholis are available in various ethnic designs and in beautiful cuts and designs. Most chaniya cholis do not have much embroidery. The oomph factor in the outfit comes from the mirrors sewn onto the fabric. The intricate designs range from backless cholis, criss-cross laced cholis and even trendy halter necks. The odhni or dupatta which accompanies this garment is lightweight and has a combination of kodi and abla hand work on it.
Among all the Indian outfits, the chaniya choli is the strongest competitor for lehengas, ghagras and salwar kameezes. The mirror work on the body of the garment reflects light and therefore gives a shimmering effect which no other outfit can give. This is why navratri, garba and dandiya dance parties see a profusion of chaniya cholis on women.
The history of the chaniya choli can be traced back to Vedic times when it was the primary dress of the Aryan women. Chaniya cholis are mentioned even in Indian mythology in the story of Lord Krishna hiding the cholis of the gopis. Mythological serials such as the Mahabharata and the Ramayana have increased the popularity of the chaniya choli in recent times.
The chaniya choli is now no longer just a favorite of the Gujratis and Rajasthanis. The craze has spread all over India. While the Northern, Eastern and Western states have retained the chaniya choli in its authentic form, the South has come up with its own version called the pavade.
This graceful outfit is admired by women all over India. The cut and design of the garment celebrates the feminine form. It highlights all the good points of the wearer’s figure and hides their flaws.
The dress has become so popular that is not restricted to dandiya only. The chaniya choli can often be seen in formal ceremonies and regular wear too. The dupatta is draped in different ways for different ceremonies to give a twist to the look.
The choli in a chaniya choli may be short and fitted or it may be loose and extend till the waist. The advantage of this dress is that its versatility let women of any age be able to carry it off with ease. The nine meter flare of the chaniya swirls around the women while dancing and adds to the beauty of the entire getup.
Chaniya choli is traditionally made from cotton or khadi. However, designers have adapted the outfit to trendy styles in silk, satin and synthetic fabrics. The most preferred colors include parrot green, orange, yellow, sky blue, pink, ink blue and red.
The rage of the Bridal Choli has increased so much that not only Indian women, but women all over the world too are now wearing it to various occasions.
Read more on Wedding Lehengas, Georgette Lehengas
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